The
chief reason for Willingham's absurdly
abrupt dismissal was supposedly due
to recruiting. While Willingham wasn't
bringing in enough talent (to appease
the alums), his firing created enough
bad publicity to affect the first
class brought in by Weis. Additionally,
the playoffs/Super Bowl kept Weis
occupied through January, the most
crucial recruiting month, and Weis'
first class was subsequently rated
No. 40 (Rivals.com), abysmal by Irish
standards. But there is still a silver
lining, for this is Football University,
U.S.A., and destiny seems to be smiling
down as one of their own comes home.

Weis
(class of '78) will motivate the ample
talent already here with (intangibles
like) charisma, attitude and directly
via his brilliance with Xs and Os.
Weis, the first alum to be coach since
interim guy Hugh Devore (class of
'34) in 1963, understands the importance
of winning in South Bend. To rebuild
that tradition of excellence, he's
focusing on a classic formula sure
to appease the scrutnous fan-base
- making his players tougher. His
four Super Bowl rings speak volumes,
but we'll see just how much time they
give Weis before his seat heats up.

Given
what does come back, though, this
looks to be an offensively strong
team that should struggle, especially
early, on defense. If Lewis and Minter
can't improve the pass defense, Weis'
stay in South Bend could rival the
brevity of Willingham's. The schedule
is brutal, especially early. The Irish
open against a resurging, Dave Wannstedt-coached
Pittsburgh squad, and Palko should
light up that secondary to initiate
their egos. Stellar Michigan, Purdue
and USC teams, as well as an emotional
game against Willingham's Washington
squad, then pollute their slate, a
slate that is always the most diversified
in its thorough toughness. But the
Irish almost always respond well to
this highest of difficulties, building
character as they perpetually compete
while failing to complain. Weis will
align all of these other factors to
produce a winner but how soon?

Optimistically
speaking, Notre Dame/Quinn did beat
a pair of BCS teams while coming up
a combined seven points short against
BYU, Boston College and Pitt. With
better pass coverage and the beginnings
of offensive consistency, ND appears
to be in for improvement. But Notre
Dame and its fans have to realize
that it takes time to rebuild a program
so that it doesn't just collapse again,
and that one bad year can't be viewed
as enough of a collapse to constantly
think restocking the coaching staff
is a realistic answer. Like anything
else in the world, the best takes
time to build. Accordingly, advancements
won't be seen just in actual victories
on the field.

More
immediately and realistically, this
team just doesn't have the horses
to win (more than) eight games against
its schedule - consider a pre-New
Years bowl win a reasonable accomplishment
in Weis' first year. But the luck
of the Irish has been known to make
for some suddenly unexpected great
seasons.

QuarterbackBelieve
in the Rosary: The West Coast offense will
no longer be forced upon junior Brady Quinn.
The junior will get to work in (pretty much)
the same vertical attack new head coach
Charlie Weis coordinated so effectively
with the New England Patriots, a system
better suited for Quinn's talents. How much
the passing scheme matches to N.E.'s in
terms of complexity remains to be seen,
but Quinn has the physical ability, poise
and receivers to finally thrive. He also
has the experience, finally, with two years
as starter - least of all, he definitely
knows what not to do. Quinn improved modestly
from a 47 completion rate and 15 interceptions
in '03 to 54 percent and 10, and his yardage
total represents the second-greatest single-season
mark ever at ND. He should take bigger steps
forward, especially with Weis and former
Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe to mentor
him. The depth (back-up Dillingham chose
to graduate) will be young and untested
with freshmen all expected to battle for
position. RS David Wolke is a big, strong-armed
pocket passer who is ideal in this Weis
offense, as is newbie Evan Sharpley. Both
are just elusive enough (ala Brady) to effectively
keep moving while one eye is keenly focused
on downfield routes. Watch for fulfilling
developments here, with skill-levels being
displayed to make many wonder why Willingham
couldn't get this unit to perform to potential.

Running
BackAs
a true freshman, Darius Walker won the starting
job and emerged as a potential star. He's
not exactly Corey Dillon, but he gives Weis
an outstanding back to build a running game
around. Walker is fast (4.45 speed) and
explosive with good vision and cutback ability.
Weis adapts his offense based on his personnel.
With a talented back like Walker around,
don't be surprised to see ND watch his prowess
and then gravitate more toward calling plays
that showcase his strengths, as warranted.
Fifth-year senior Marcus Wilson brings plenty
of speed, while junior Travis Thomas is
a talented mix of speed and power who has
yet to be utilized enough. Thomas, Wilson
and Walker combined for 18 catches, which
shouldn't change much under Weis. In the
Irish tradition (Bettis), two-year starting
fullback Rashon Powers-Neal has tailback
ability. He, too, was never properly utilized
in the West Coast system, having almost
as many catches (10) as carries (13). The
ingredients are here for a solid running
game that should put up better numbers as
Quinn becomes able to stretch the field.

ReceiverThere's
plenty of potential as an underachieving
group returns (almost) intact to test its
Irish luck with a new offense. Rhema McKnight,
the leading receiver the past two seasons,
remains the go-to guy, though he's not much
of a deep threat. That role should go to
either Maurice Stovall, who is tall (6-5),
fast (4.3 speed) but is coming off an injury
plagued season, or Matt Shelton. A fifth-year
senior, Shelton was a surprise in coming
up with a school-record 25.8 yards per catch
to go with his modest (but team-leading)
six TDs. Top recruit D.J. Hord is another
well-sized set of soft hands with sprinter's
speed who will impact this unit. Stovall
and Shelton are the type of field-stretchers
who will open up Weis' running schemes to
perfection, also allowing McKnight and the
TEs to snarl the rock when WR-options are
covered. Size here also will become good
at blocking downfield. This is a strong
group who will be invaluable if the Weis
Way is to succeed.

Tight
EndAnthony
Fasano, an adequate blocker who developed
into the team's No. 2 receiving threat,
gives Quinn another sure-handed open-field
target. Expect Fasano & Co. to continue
facilitating the passing game, especially
under Weis, who knows how to use his TEs
like a scalpel (to open other things up).
Joey Hiben, this year's No. 9 TE recruit
(Rivals.com), gives them another athletic
receiving target, but will have to bulk
up to displace the other two experienced
TEs. This unit gets at least four touches
per game, a number that we expect could
even increase.

Offensive
LineThis
group returns intact, led by fifth-year
seniors RT Mark LeVoir and RG Dan Stevenson.
There's been plenty of shuffling here and
little cohesion, which will only continue
with a new coaching staff. There will be
improvement under former Ole Miss offensive
coordinator John Latina, who will find a
way for this well-seasoned meat to decrease
allowing 25 sacks while increasing their
average per run to over 4.0. LeVoir and
junior LT Ryan Harris are two strong pass-blockers
made for a pocket approach, while junior
center John Sullivan should be the leader
in the middle. As usually holds true, all
of the potential at the skill spots doesn't
mean much when improvement up front is the
key. This line mixes size, mobility and
potential well, so the coaches' ability
to motivate is what we are looking at here.
Under new management, the line will give
Quinn more time to throw while producing
a rushing attack that ranks better than
85th.

OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWNThose
returning will now have to figure out Weis'
complex NFL attack, and how much time it
takes to adapt is unknown. The new boss
says he works to the strengths of his personnel,
so expect him to adjust his offense and
all other variables to fit the skill level(s)
of his players. Quinn is due to improve,
and with a solid group of receivers, he
should be able to stretch defenses enough
to open seams for Walker and the running
game. The line will eventually develop and
adapt to the new schemes, and offensive
efficiency will then be achieved. But, again,
we ask how long? If/whenever the Irish are
in disarray up front, a mediocre scoring
output is to be expected. With Weis, it
is all about execution, so what, then, is
to be expected? First off, don't be surprised
as something besides the West Coast approach
ignites the passing game. Moreover, anticipate
struggles to start that, once overcome,
will allow the offensive production to take
off like spinning wheels dropped onto the
pavement. Mixed results will become more
consistently successful by the campaign's
latter half.

WR
Rhema McKnight

NOTRE
DAME 2005 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters/Key
Players

OFFENSE

QB

Brady
Quinn-Jr (6-4, 220)

David
Wolke-Fr (6-4, 205)

FB

Rashon
Powers-Neal-Sr (6-2, 243)

Ashley
McConnell-So (5-11, 243)

TB

Darius
Walker-So (5-11, 200)

Travis
Thomas-So (6-0, 212)

WR

Rhema
McKnight-Sr (6-1, 215)

Jeff
Samardzija-Jr (6-5, 215)

WR

Maurice
Stovall-Sr (6-5, 227)

Matt
Shelton-Sr (6-0, 175)

TE

Anthony
Fasano-Jr (6-4, 256)

Marcus
Freeman-Jr (6-2, 248)

OT

Ryan
Harris-Jr (6-5, 289)

Chauncey
Incarnato-Fr (6-6, 280)

OG

Bob
Morton-Jr (6-4, 300)

Dan
Santucci-Jr (6-4, 292)

C

John
Sullivan-So (6-3, 295)

..

OG

Dan
Stevenson-Sr (6-5, 293)

James
Bonelli-Jr (6-4, 290)

OT

Mark
LeVoir-Sr (6-7, 310)

John
Kadous-Fr (6-7, 310)

K

D.J.
Fitzpatrick-Sr (6-1, 195)

Bobby
Renkes-Jr (6-0, 190)

2005
DEFENSE

Defensive
LineA
stellar front seven rebuilds with the loss
of four of the team's top five pass rushers.
Junior DE Victor Abiamiri needs to live
up to his potential and be the dominant
pass rusher needed with Justin Tuck's departure
to the NFL. Abiamiri, a five-star recruit,
has the quickness and agility to be a force
on the end, and he's beefed up to 270. Inside,
NT Derek Landri is a small-but-quick and
physical run-stopper who can penetrate,
as is junior Trevor Laws. Brian Beidatsch,
a fifth-year senior, is a big and strong
enough to play in the middle, but fast enough
to have been moved to DE last fall. He'll
likely be shuffled as new defensive coordinator
Rick Minter gets a feel for his personnel.
The return of reserve Travis Leitko gives
Minter another big, quick end to throw into
the mix. There's plenty of physical ability
here, but not much experience or depth.
The run defense, which ranked fourth in
the nation and gave up only six ground scores,
bailed this team out several times. Developing
another solid unit will be a key to this
team's success, and it won't happen right
away.

LinebackerTwo-year
starter Brandon Hoyte, another fifth-year
senior, is the lone returning starter from
an impressive trio. Hoyte is a quick, explosive
playmaker who leaves TOs in his wake (forced
three fumbles). He is good enough that he'll
lead a group that's breaking in two new
starters while maintaining his performance
level in spite of some drop-off in play
up front. Corey Mays and Mitchell Thomas
have had plenty of reserve snaps and are
the favorites to take over. Mays, a fifth-year
senior, is a physical run-stopper who should
play in the middle, and Thomas is another
beefed-up plugger with 4.5 speed who could
develop into the ideal pass-rusher/contain-end
needed at the strong-side spot. This is
a well-sized corps, with speed and sharp
senses, but little experience outside of
the starters. Reflecting the fourth best
run-stopping and 116th-rated pass defense,
you can see how the LBs' assignments must
have been off. Watch for new schemes that
allow them to drop back more and then use
their mobility to make the play in front
of them, not over-commit to the run so as
to leave the DBs on islands, as happened
under Willingham. Watch for nickel and dime
looks until the LBs are again solid.

Defensive
BackThis
unit's revamping should be the key to the
entire defense. A blessing in disguise like
this tells volumes: three-fourths of that
116th-ranked group is gone. Blue-and-Gold
fans will soon relish the cliché
"addition by subtraction". Weis
brought in Bill Lewis, who he said gave
him fits with the Miami Dolphins, to whip
this bunch into shape. He'll build around
converted-QB (junior) now-SS Tommy Zbikowski,
a speedster who is (at least) tough against
the run, and (potential) top cover corner
Mike Richardson. CB Freddie Parish IV (national
Tae Kwon Do champ) is another tough-guy
who was tossed in against USC for seasoning,
knowing that, at this rebuilding point,
they would benefit from such. Junior Jabbie
heads a well-sized underclass of DBs eager
to prove it can be what the last crew couldn't,
so expect improvements here to come surprisingly
quickly. But when we see the bar still being
raised with each incremental growth/step,
then we will know ND is ready to elevate
itself back into the ranks it once ruled.

DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWNND's
impressive run-halting numbers were eventually
earned by reputation, as foes learned to
throw first and foremost to avoid the "Christmas
rush stuffers". It's amazing that this
team beat the likes of Michigan and Tennessee
with their overall numbers, though it does
say much of the streaky DB play that will
be eradicated. You don't need to be a football
genius - the key for this revamping Irish
D is affecting foes' passing efficiency.
Finding the right combinations and getting
a feel for the strengths of the personnel
will be the main challenge for this new
staff. But we feel that the potential is
there for a special unit to be born. The
LBs have the size-speed combo that can stop
any facet of offense imposed on them, and
the line falls into this same category of
energized, well-managed girth. They just
can't leave this young, ungelled secondary
alone, so expect less pressing and more
zone until the subtleties needed for (run)
blitzing can be instilled, and then orchestrated.

DE
Victor Abiamiri

NOTRE
DAME 2005 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters/Key
Players

DEFENSE

DE

Chris
Frome-Jr (6-5, 271)

Travis
Leitko-Jr (6-6, 275)

NT

Derek
Landri-Jr (6-2, 278)

Trevor
Laws-So (6-0, 285)

DT

Brian
Beidatsch-Sr (6-2, 295)

Brandon
Nicolas-Fr (6-5, 275)

DE

Victor
Abiamiri-Jr (6-4, 269)

Ronald
Talley-Fr (6-4, 245)

SLB

Brandon
Hoyte-Sr (5-11, 231)

..

MLB

Corey
Mays-Sr (6-1, 243)

Mitchell
Thomas-So (6-3, 230)

WLB

Joe
Brockington-So (6-1, 225)

..

CB

Ambrose
Wooden-So (5-11, 186)

Junior
Jabbie-Fr (5-11, 190)

CB

Mike
Richardson-Jr (5-11, 190)

Terrail
Lambert-Fr (5-10, 190)

SS

Tom
Zbikowski-So (5-11, 203)

Jake
Carney-Jr (6-0, 192)

FS

Freddie
Parish-Jr (6-0, 202)

Anthony
Vernaglia-Fr (6-4, 220)

P

D.J.
Fitzpatrick-Sr (6-1, 195)

Geoff
Price-Jr (6-3, 190)

2005
SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter
and KickerD.J.
Fitzpatrick, a fifth-year senior, should be one
of this team's top weapons. He fared much better
in the dual-role last fall. His punting improved
to 41.8 per while dropping 29 inside the 20. He
has a big, accurate leg on field goals, having
hit 11-of-15, including 4-of-5 from 40+. Coverage
will improve with so many LBs and DBs looking
for reps, though allowing a combined three return
TDs will be a focus. Really, for Weis has stated
that special teams at Notre Dame have "stunk"
for years, so expect plenty of emphasis on improvement
here.

Return
GameChase
Anastasio, a backup receiver with 4.5 speed, proves
to be a decent option on kicks, as is soph RB
Justin Hoskins. But Junior Jabbie and D.J. Hord
are our candidates, each with size-speed to make
it all the way. Watch spring production here to
get actual answers.